Unit-package-forming machine



April 15', 1924.

1,490,612 F. W. LAENCHER UNIT PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14 1920'5 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnvenTor. Ffi'edericK W. La ncher b M Wk y Anya.

April 15, 1924. U 1 49 F. w. LAENCHER UNIT PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE FiledFeb. 14, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet z lnvenTor. FredeTicK W.Lc1encher by Aflys;

' April 15, 1924. 1,490,612

F. w. LAEN CHER mm PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14 1920 '5Sheets-Sheet 4 lnvenTOr.

FredericK W. Luencher byzw a I AITVs.

1920', 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A ril 15, 1924.

F w LAENCHER UNIT PACKAGE FORMING :MACHINE Filed Feb. [14

Flg ll InvenTor. FredericK \N. Luencher b z mazwmfmz Afiys.

lt atented Apr. 15, rest.

tetra PATENT oric.

FREDERICKXUILLIAM LAENGHER, OF WOODHAVEN. NEW YQR-K, ASSIGNOR TO A. KIItBALL COMPANY, OF KEV] YORK, N. Y., A CORPCRATION OF NEW YORK.

UN IT-PAOKAGE-FORMING MACHINE.

Application filed February 14, 1920.

T0 (LZZ err/1.0m it wmg concern.

Be it known that I, FREDERICK VILLIAM LAENCHER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and resident of lVoodhaven, Long Island, county of Queens, Stateof New York, have invented an Improvement in Unit-Package- FormingMachines, of which the following description, in connection with theaccompanying drawing, is a specification, like i.- characters on thedrawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to improvements in packaging machines and theobject thereof is to provide a machine for automatically bindingtogether a series of superimposed articles by means of a binding tripembracing said superimposed articles, the ends of the binding strippreferably being locked together. Any desirable type of binding stripmay be used, but preferably the binding strip is of substantially flatmaterial presenting a surface of suflicient extent to receiveidentifying indicia. The binding strip preferably also comprises, or iscomposed of material which when bent will have a permanent set.

The invention is disclosed'herein as adapted to bind a series ofsuperimposed rings, such as the rubber rings which are used in fruitjars, said rings being arranged in superimposed relation and boundtogether by binding strips embracing the rings at diametrically oppositepoints.

' Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic mechanismhaving means for supporting a plurality ot assembled units citsuperimposed rings and to present the same to the binder applyingmechanism.

Another object of the invention is to providemeans for severing andforming the binders for the unit package from a continuous strip ofbinding material andpreterably presenting the binders thus formed successively in proper position to the holders for the unit package in orderthat the binders may be readily applied to the srqperimposed articles. I

A further object of the invention is to provide means for automaticallysecuring the binders upon the superimposed articles to complete the unitpackage. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel term of supportfor a series of superimposed rings adapted to hold the hind- Serial No.358,744.

ers in proper relation to the rings and to enable them to be properlyapplied to the rings to complete the unit package.

Other objects and features of the inven tion will more fully appear fromthe following description and the accompanying drawings and will bepointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine for fprming unit packages ofsuperimposed rings.

Fig.2 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the conveyor showing theholder for the superimposed rings and connecting links of the endlesscarrier.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a portion of the machine from the oppositeside to that illus: trated in Fig. 1 upon a larger scale and showing thebinding strip, cutting and forming mechanism, the binder bending andlocking mechanism and the driving mechanism.

Fig. t is a vertical sectional View on lines 4t-4 Fig. 3 showing indetail the binder strip feeding, forming and presenting mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a vertical detail sectional view on lines 55 Fig. 4 showingthe binder forming and presenting mechanism and the means forshiltingthe binding presenting mechanism laterally.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a lower binde forming mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely of the endlesscarrier and illustrating in end elevation the binder strip feeding,cutting and forming units and the mechanism for intimately actuating thefeeding mechanism. v

Fig. 8 is a detail vertical. sectional view of the mechanism for bendingthe binders around the superimposed rings showing the binders as havingbeen bent around the top and bottom of the series of superimposed rings.

Fig. 9 is a similar detail vertical sectional view showing the mechanismin position in which the ends of the binders are locked to-, getherr HFig. 10 is a vertical sectional view through the unit package of ringsshc ving the ends of the binders locked together and pressed firmlyagainst the inner wall ,ot-the super imposed rings, and,

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional View trans;

versely of the carrier showing the bending and forming mechanism in theposition in which it engages the binders after the same have beenpresented to the superimposed rings by the cutting, forming andpresenting mechanism.

The present invention contemplates the production of a machine which isadapted to bind together a series of superimposed articles of uniformwidth by means of a binder which is caused to embrace the articles andpreferably has its ends locked together. The specific embodiment of theinvention disclosed herein comprises a machine for binding a series ofsuperimposed rings, such for example, a dozen rubber rings for fruitars, together by means of a preferably flat bind ing strip of pliablematerial adapted when bent to have a permanent set.

Binding strips desirably are bent around the superimposed rings atdiametrically opposite points and the ends of each strip fastenedtogether by a locked seam which is pressed firmly against the innerwalls of the rings.

Briefly summarized, the machine comprises an intermittently movingendless carrier having a series of holders adapted to receive piles ofsuperimposed rings, said carrier being actuated to present the holderswith the superimposed rings thereupon firstto mechanism for cutting,forming and presenting to the holders suitable binders for thesuperimposed rings, said carrier being by a subsequent movement adaptedto present the superimposed rings with the binders thus applied tomechanism which will automatically bend the binders around the rings,look their ends together and press them firmly against the inner wallsof the rings. The. carrier upon further movement is adapted to dischargethe unit package of rings thus formed, thus providing means forassembling in packages a predetermined number of rings and so securingthem together that they may be easily transported and handled withoutthe liability of becoming loose.

A great advantage is obtained by providing unit packages of thischaracter, since rings of particular sizes may be thus assembled inuniform packages and the lia bility of the packages becoming broken, or

the rings mixed up with other rings of (life ferent size, will bereduced to aminimum.

The preferred mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawingcomprises a frame having in general two longitudinally extendinggirders, preferably in the form of I-bearns 1, 2 supported upon suitablelegs 3, 4t, 5. A shelf 6 carried by the pairs of legs 3. a may beprovided for supporting a suitable motor 7 for actuating the drivingmechanism of the machine 7 A. seriesof superimposed rings of anypredetermined desirable number, such as a dozen, are carried by holderswhich preferably are supported upon links of an endless chain whichcarries the packages successively to the binder strip presenting and thebending and locking mechanisms. The preferred form of holders disclosedherein are secured to special links 8 of an endless chain, the upperlead of which travels upon a plate or way 9 and is guided betweensuitable side bars 10, said supporting plate and guide bars beingcarried by suitable standards 11 rising from the I-beams 1, 2. 7

Each of the holders preferably comprise a base 12, which is secured tothe link 8, and

preferably integral semi-circular sections spaced apart substantiallythe width of the binder strip extending upwardly therefrom. The sectionsare provided with laterally extending seats 13 to support the lowermostof the series of rings and upwardly extending dome portions 14 to engagethe inner walls of the rings, the dome portions 14: being preferablycylindrical through a distance corresponding to or greater than theheight of package of superimposed rings, and the upper part 15 of thedome portion being desirably of conoidal form.

The sect-ions of the holders which are spaced apart are provided at thelower ends with clamping members 16 which are adjustably secured to thesemi-circular sections of the holders by screw and slot connections 17to enable the clamping members to be adjusted to engage and hold theedges of the binders when the latter are presented to said clampingmembers by the forming dies, so that said binders will be retained inproper relation to the superimposed rings while the holders are beingmoved to the station at which the binders are bent around and clampedupon the superimposed rings.

The special links 8 of the endless con veyor are connected by drivinglinks 18 which desirably may be in the form of flat plates havingcentralopenings 19 to receive the teeth or studs of a. driving wheel. In orderto make the links 18 light, while preserving the strength, the links maybe provided with thickened marginal flanges 20 and a flange 21 providedaround the opening 1.9. The links 8 and 18 may be con nected byinterengaging extensions pivoted together by the usual bolts or pins 22.

It is desirable that the holders shall dwell during the application ofthe binders and also during the bending and clamping operation. Theendless carrier for the holders, therefore, must be given anintermittent motion. Any suitable driving mechanism may be employed forimparting such a motion to the endless carrier. Inasmuch as the'accuratepositioning of the holders, in resncct to the binder presentingmechanism and the bending and clamping mechanism,

is necessary, a Geneva feeding and stop mechanism is provided foractuating the endless chain. This feeding mechanism is illustrated indetail in Fig. 3 in which the 5 shaft 23 of the motor is provided with aJ upon rotation of said shaft is adapted toenter one of the radial slots33 in a disk 34 which is secured to the shaft 35 of the driving wheel 36for the endless chain. The shaft is journalled in brackets 37 risingfrom the plate 30. The disk 34 is provided with arcuate recessedportions 38 which are adapted to be engaged by the arcuate surface of acylindrical boss or hub 39 on the arm 31. The hub 39 is provided with anarcuate recessed portion 40 adapted to receive the periphery of the disk34 during a portion of the rotation of the shaft 28 and to permitrotation of the disk 34 during the time the roller 32 engages one of theslots 33 in. said disk.

Inasmuch as the Geneva stop mechanism is well known further descriptionis unnecessary for it will be understood that the rotation given to thewheel 36 will endure only during the time in which the roller 32 is inengagement with the Walls of one of the slots 33 and that immediatelyupon emerging from said slot the hub 39 Will engage the circular recess38 and lock the disk 34 and consequently the wheel 36 against furtherrotation.

A series of studs 40 secured to the periphery of the wheel 36 in anysuitable manner are adapted to enter successively the apertures 19 inthe endless chain and thereby impart to the endless chain or carrier theintermittent movement of the wheel 36.

The driving mechanism thus described may be applied at either end of theframe, but preferably is located at the end adjacent to which thebending, cutting and forming mechanism and the bending and clampingmechanism for the binders are located in order to economize space forthe driving mechanism.

The endless carrier may be of any desired length and preferably is ofsuch length as to permit a number of operators to place the requirednumber of superimposed rings upon holders as they are approaching thebinder presenting and clamping mechanisms. It will, however, beunderstood that if automatic feeding mechanism for the rings or otherarticles 18 provided the length of the conveyor may be materiallyshortened. Where the rings are applied to the holders by hand it isfound in practice that at least two or three operators are required tofill the holders when the machine is be ing operated to form unitpackages of rings at the rate of 100 packages per minute and thatadditional operators are required when the machine is driven at agreater speed.

The holders having the superimposed rings upon them are carriedsuccessively into such position that the binders may be presented to thespaces between the sections of the holders and held in said spaces bythe clamping members 16 until they are acted upon by the bending andclamping mechanism. Any suitable form ofbinder may be used-preferably abinding strip formed of paper with one or more re-inforcing wires ofpliable, non-resilient material such as disclosed in Patent No.1,073,828 granted to Wallin Sept. 28, 1913, is utilized and means areprovided for form ing and creasing the binders from a continuous stripof material carried by a suitable roller.

A preferred mechanism for feeding and forming the binders is illustratedin Figs. 1 and 3 and in detail in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings inwhich. the binder strip 41 is fed continuously from a suitable roll (notshown) by a pair of feed rollers 42 and 43 to the cutting and formingmechanism. The feed rollers 42 and 43 are carried re spectively byshafts 44, 45 which are carried in suitable hearings in brackets 46, 47having a base which is secured to a plate 48 which rests upon a frame 49which supports the feeding, cutting and forming mechanism.

The bearings 50 for the shaft 44 are slidably mounted in ways in thebracket 46 and supported upon a spring 51. The bearing 50 is normallyheld ddwn by a lever 52 a which is pivotally mounted at one end andadapted to be pressed downwardly at the other end by a screw having athumb nut 53, a bolt or pin 54 adjustably secured. in the centralportion of said lever bears against the upper end of the bearing and.

enables the bearing to be set at any desired position, whereby the faceof the roller 42. which preferably 1s knurled. may be caused to engagethe binder. strip at any desired degree of pressure.

Any suitable means may be provided for imparting to the feeding rollersan intermittent movement to cause the binder strip to be fed forward insections of the right length to form. binders.

As illustrated herein the shafts 44. 45 of the feed wheels 42, 43 areprovided with intcrmcshing gears 55. 56, the gear 56 meshing with a muchlarger gear 57 which is mounted upon. a stud shaft 58 carried bysuitable bracket depending from the plate 48. Intermittent movement isimparted to the gear 57 through a notched disk 59 which is secured tothe face of the gear 57 and is actuated by a pawl 60 which is pivotallymounted upon one end of the lever 61 which is fulcrumed upon the shaft58.

The lever 61 is operated through a link 62 pivotally secured to theother end of said lever and to the. end of an arm 63 of a counter shaft6% which is mounted in bearings in suitable stand 65. The shaft 64. isrotated through a spiral gear 66 which meshes with a complementaryspiral gear 67 upon cam shaft 68 which extends trans versely of themachine. The cam shaft 68 is provided with a sprocket wheel 69 which isdriven by a sprocket chain 70 from a sprocket 71 upon the shaft 28 whichactuates the Geneva feeding and stop mechanism for moving the endlesscarrier which supports the holders for the rings. By reason of thisdriving connection a proper coordination of the movements of the endlesscarrier and of the feeding mechanism for the binder strip is at alltimes maintained.

Inasmuch as it is desirable to apply a plurality of binders to thesuperimposed rings of each unit package two feeding mechanisms areprovided and are located upon opposite sides of the carrier for thesuperimposed rings. The. construction of the feeding mechanism for theother binder strip is identical with that above described and isindicated by the same reference numerals.

An intermittent movement is imparted to this second feeding mechanism bya link 72 which is secured to a stud 73 upon the lever 61 adjacent tothe pawl 60, the other end of the lever 72 being pivotally mounted upona stud 74: at the free end of the lever 61 of the second feedingmechanism. The ratio of the gears and other parts of the drivingmechanism for the feed rollers are so proportioned that the movementimparted to the feed rolls is one. which will serve to advance thebinder strips a predetermined distance and position each strip in thepath of a cutter and former which will sever the binders from the stripand bend the ends thereof to provide locking means, and also preferablyprovide weakened lines therein which will cause the binder to bendproperly about the superimposed rings.

feed rollers t2 and 43, therefore, force the binder strip over the bed75 until the pre determined length has passed the ledger blade 76 of thecutter and lies upon the forming die.

In the preferred mechanism disclosed herein one of the members of theforming die is so mounted that when the binder has been formed upon itsaid die member can be actuated to present the binder strip to theholders for the superimposed rings and place the same within the slotsat the sides of said holders. In the mechanism illustrated one of theformer members comprises a die 79 having at one end a notch 80 intowhich one end portion of the binder may be given an offset V-shaped formand at the other end a recess 81 by means of which the opposite end ofthe binder may be bent at right angles. The die is also providedwithpairs of notches 82, 83 by means of which weakened or bending lines maybe. impressed upon the binder. A co-operating upper outter and formercomprises a series of arms 84 which are adjustably secured to a shaft 85which is journalled in suitable brackets 86 carried by the supportingplate 18. The respective arms 84 have secured to their ends a cutter 87which is positioned to cooperate with the ledger blade 7 6; a V-shapcddie 88 which co-operates with the Vshaped notch 80; a die 89 of L-shapedform which, in co-operation with the recess 81, bends the opposite endof the binder at right angles, and two dies 90, 91 having respectivelypairs of edges 92, 93 which co-operate with the notches 82, 83respectively of the former member or die above described. The hold-down78 preferably is in the form of a spring plate which extends beneath theupper die and presses the binder strip, upon the lower die while theupper die is acting to cut and form the binder.

The upper cutter and former is actuated through a link 94: which issecured at its upper end to the arm 84 and at its lower end to the endof the lever 95 which is pivoted. upon a stud 96 carried by a bracket 97secured to one of the vertical members of the frame 4:9, the lever 95being provided with a cam following roll 98 which engages the groove ofa face cam 99 which is fixedly secured upon the cam shaft 68. The grooveof the cam 99, is, of course, so constructed as to actuate the uppercutter and former after the feeding mechanism has advanced the binderstrip a suitable distance over the lower former member.

The lower former member or die 7 9 is carried upon an arm 100 which hasat its end a toothed cylindrical boss 101 which is pivotally mountedupon a shaft 102 which is mounted in suitable hearings in brackets 103,104C projecting upwardly from the plate 48. The die carrying arm 100normally rests upon the base of a slot formed in a laterally movablesupport or carrier 106 which is provided at its end with a thick enedportion or flange 107 which rests upon the surface of the plate 48. Thecarrier 106 has at its end an integral sleeve108 which is slidablymounted upon the shaft 102. The sleeve 108 has a downward extension 109which is connected by a link 1.1.0 to the upper end of a lever 111 whichhas at its lower end a boss 112 which is pivotally mounted upon a stand113 form ing a part of the frame 49, the lever 1.11 being providedintermediate of its ends with a cam following roll 114 which engages acam slot in a face cam 115 which is fixedly secured upon the cam shaft68. i

The slot of the cam 115 is so constructed as to actuate the lever 111 tomove the die carrier 106 laterally from beneath the upper die after thebinder has been severed from the strip and formed, thereby enabling thedie carrier to be actuated to present the formed binder to the holder.

The means which are provided for mov ing the die carrying arm and diewith the binder strip upon it to vertical position comprises a rack 116which is slidably mounted in a suitable way in the plate 48 and engagesthe teeth 101 of the boss upon said die carrying arm. The rack 116 isprovided with a downwardly extending bracket 117 which is pivotallyconnected by a link 118 to the upper'end of a lever 119 which isfulcrumed at its lower end upon a stud 120 carried by a bracket 121 uponthe standard 114 of the frame '49. The lever 110 is providedintermediate its ends with a roller 122 which engages a cam grooveformed in the face of a cylinder 123 which is fixedly secured to the camshaft 68. The groove of the cam 123 is so constructed as to actuate thelever 119 after the carrier 106 is moved laterally to remove the diecarrying arm 100 and die 79 from beneath the upper die or former andserve to raise the binder into vertical position and to force it intothe slot between the holders between the clamping members of saidholder, whereby the binder is held in vertical position ready to be bentaround the rings.

In order to release the binder from. the die or former a spring actuatedpawl 124 is so positioned as to snap behind and engage the V-shaped endof the binder when the latter reaches vertical position as illus tratedin Fig. 4. The pawl 124 is pivotally mounted upon the upper end of abracket 125 which is secured to the plate 48, a spring 126 secured tothe bracket 125 serving normally to force the pawl downward so as tocause its engagement with the end of the binder when the latter is movedinto said vertical position.

As soon as the binder has been forced into the clamping members 16 uponthe diate of the notches forming the weakened lines will lie against theouter walls of the superimposed rings, the ends of the bindersprojecting substantially equal, distances above the superimposed ringand below the lowermost ring. Bender mechanism is, therefore, providedfor first bending the ends of the bindershorizontally, then bending thelower end upwardly and the upper end downwardly until the flange at thelower end is engaged by and interlocked in the V-sha-ped not-ch of theupper end of the binder.

The bending and'locking mechanism for accomplishing this purpose iscarried by a standard 127 which is mounted upon the plate 30. Thestandard 127 has at its upper end an inverted U-shaped portion 128 inwhich are oppositely disposed bosses 129, 130 which support themechanism for bending the ends of the binders into horizontal position.Other bosses 131, 132 positioned at right angles to the bosses 129, 130,support bender mechanisms which cooperate to bend the ends of thebinders around the rings and to cause the interlocking of said ends andthe closing of the lock joint which secures the ends of the binderstogether.

The horizontally operating benders com prise respectively two bendingjaws, one pair of which 133, 134 is formed integrally with a head 135secured to a shaft 136 which is slidably mounted in the boss 130. Theshaft 136 is connected by a link 137 to the slotted upper end of a bellcrank lever 138 fwhich is secured to a rock shaft 139 journalled in thestandard 127. In order to provide for the positioning of the former theslotted end of the bell crank lever 138 is provided with suitable setscrews which bear upon the link forming the pivotal connectiontherebetween. The other arm of the bell crank lever 138 is provided witha cam following roller 140 which engages a suitable cam groove'in a facecam 141 fixedly secured upon a shaft 142 which is journalled in thestandard 127 The shaft 142 is provided with a spiral gear 143 whichmeshes with a complementary spiral gear fixedly secured upon the drivingshaft 28.

A plunger 144 is located intermediate of the jaws 133, 134 and isprovided with a stem which extends into an axial aperture in the shaft136 and engages the inner end of a helical spring 146 which at itsopposite end abuts against a screw 147 V threaded into the end of saidaxial aperture.

In the operation of the machine the holder for the rings is firstpositioned in front of the jaws of the bender. The cam 141 then actuatesthe bell crank lever 138 in such a manner as to push forward the formeruntil the plunger 144 abuts against the binder and clamps the samefirmly against the outer walls of the superimposed rings. Furthermovement of the cam causes the jaws 133, 134 to bend the upper .andlower portions of the binder strip into horizontal position. The spring146 holds the plunger. 144 against the binder as the jaws 133, 134advance to perform this bending act-ion. If desired, the yieldableclamping members may be omitted and a projection formed upon the headintermediate of the jaws provided to press the binder against the outerwalls of the rings.

A co-operating pair of bending jaws 148, 149 for the opposite binder arecarried by a head 150' on a shaft 151 which is slidably mounted in theboss 129. A plunger 152 similar to the plunger 144 is provided with astem 153 which is mounted in an axial aperture in the shaft 151 andengages one end of the spring 154, the opposite end of which engages thescrew threaded plug 155. The head 150 on the shaft 151 is connected toone end of the inverted U-shaped link 156, the opposite end of which isadjustably pivoted upon a stud 157 at the end of one arm of a bell cranklever 158 which is fulcrumed upon a stud 159 projecting from suitablebracket or boss upon the standard 127. The other arm of the bell cranklever 158 is connected toa link 160 which is connected at its oppositeend to an arm 161 formed integral with or secured to the shaft 139 andwhich is operated by the cam 141 through the cam following roll 140 andbell crank lever 138.

The levers and linkages for actuating the bending jaws 148, 149 are soconstructed as to cause them to move simultaneously with the movement ofthe jaws 133, 134 so that both binders are bent into horizontal positionsimultaneously as illustrated in Fig. 8. The lower ends of the binderswhen in horizontal position are then bent upwardly by a suitable former.

As illustrated herein the former comprises a plunger having a head 162which moves upwardly through a suitable recess in the conveyorsupporting plate 9 and in the special holder links of the conveyorchain. The forming plunger head 162 is carried by a rod 163 which isslidably mounted in the boss 132 of the standard 127 and is provided atits lower end with a collar 164 having a laterally extending stud 165which is connected by a link 166 to a stud 167 upon a lever 168 which isfulcrumed at its opposite end on a stud 169. The lever 168 is providedintermediate of its ends with a cam following roll 170 which engages asuitable cam groove in a cam 171 carried by the shaft 142. The action ofthe cam 171 is such that the head 162 of the lower plunger and formerwill be raised after the ends of the binder strip have been moved tohorizontal position and will serve to force the lower ends of thebinders upwardly alongside the inner walls of the superimposed rings.

A co-operating upper former and plunger is also provided. This upperplunger comprises a head 172 which is carried by a stem 173 which isslidably mounted in the boss 131. The stem 173 is provided with alaterally extending stud 174 which is connected by a link to a lever175, the opposite end of which is fulcrumed upon a stud 176 carried by aboss upon the U-shaped portion 128 of the standard 127. The lever isprovided intermediate of its ends with a stud 177 which is pivotallyconnected to the upper end of a link 17 8, the lower end of which isprovided with a cam following roll 17 9 which engages a suitable camgroove in a cam 180. The link 178 is provided with a slot 181 whichreceives the shaft 142, said slot being of sufficient length to permitthe necessaryvertical movement of the link 178 to actuate the plunger.

The cam grooves of the cams 171 and 180 are so formed that the upper andlower plungers remain at rest while the side formers are bending theupper and lower portions of the binder transversely across the upper andlower faces of the pile of superimposed rings into the horizontalposition illustrated in Fig. 8. The lower former is then actuated by thecam 171 to bend the lower ends of the binder upwardly against the innerwalls of the rings where it comes to rest. The upper former is thenactuated to bend the upper end of the binder downwardly alongside theinner walls of the rings until it positions the V-shaped upper end overthe 1 flanged lower end of the binder strip where it comes to rest. Thelower former is then again moved upwardly into co-operative relationwith the upper plunger to lock the interengaged ends of the binder stripand is then caused immediately to recede.

The upper former is then actuated to complete its downward movement andto bend the interengaged ends of the binder strip downwardly alongsidethe inner walls of the rings to form the locked seam joint illustratedin Fig. 10.

In order to pack the superimposed rings firmly together as they arebeing advanced toward the final bending and clamping ma e is descent ofthe upper plunger in its action in bending one set of plungers the arms185 will engage the rings upon the holder which is next to be presentedto the bending and clamping mechanism and pack the superimposed ringstogether so that they will be in proper position to be operated upon bythe bending and clamping formers.

Thus the unit package of rings is completely formed upon subsequentmovements Y of the carrier; the holders are brought into invertedposition, and the unit package of rings permitted to drop from them bygravity.

In the operation of the machine a predetermined number of rings isplaced upon each of the holders by the operator or operators as theholders are being intermittently advanced toward the binder forming andpresenting mechanism. As each holder is arrested at the station at whichthe binder is presented each feeder for a binder strip advances asuiiicient length oi the strip over the die to form a binder. Thecutters and formers are then actuated to cut and form the binder strip.The upper cutter and die is then raised and the lower die with thebinder strip upon it is moved first laterally from beneath the upper dieand is then pivotally moved to a vertical position, in which position itpresents the binder strip to the clamp members of the holders. The pawlat the same time engages the top of the binder strip and with theclamping members holds the strip alongside the slots in the holder asthe lower die is returned to its horizontal position. The holder is thenadvanced an other step to an intermediate position between the binderpresenting mechanism and the binder bending and clamping mechanism.lVhile at this station the rings are pressed together by the descendingarms which are attached to the stem of the upper plunger of the bendingand clamping mechanism. The holder is forwarded upon the nextintermittent movement to the station of the bending and clampingmechanism where the binders are first pressed against the outer walls ofthe rings, then bent by the jaws of the formers horizontally around thelowermost and uppermost rings to horizontal position. The upper andlower formers are then actuated to bend the ends of the binders upwardlyand downwardly thercofthe upper plunger serving to bend the interlockedends downwardly alongside the inner walls of the rings thereby forming alocked seam joint. Upon further intermittent movcments of the carrierthe holders are inverted and the unit packages of rings dropped fromthem into a suitable receptacle.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the invention disclosedherein is of an illustrative character and is not restrictive and thatvarious changes in construction and arrangement of parts may be madewithin the meaning and scope oi the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A machine for forming a unit package of a plurality of superimposedarticles, comprising a holder for said articles, means automaticallyoperable successively to form a binder and to present the formed binderto the superimposed articles carried by said holder and means forsecuring the binder around said articles.

2. A machine for forming a unit package of a plurality oi superimposedarticles comprising a holder for said articles, means automaticallyoperative to sever a binder from a binder strip, means to form a. binderfrom said strip, means for causing the binder forming means to presentthe formed binder to the superimposed articles and means to secure thebinder around said articles.

3. A machine for forming a unit package of a plurality of superimposedarticles comprising a holder for said articles, means automatically.operative to sever a binder from a binder strip, means to form a binder"from said strip, means for causing the binder forming means to presentthe formed binder to the superimposed articles, means to secure thebinder around said articles, and means for clamping said binder aroundsaid articles.

4. A machine for forming a unit package of superimposed rings comprisinga holder for said rings, means automatically operable simultaneously toform a plurality of binders and to present the formed binders to thesuperimposed rings carried by said holder, and means for securing saidbinders around said superimposed rings.

A machine for forming a unit package of superimposed rings comprising aholder for said rings, means automatically operable simultaneously toform a plurality of binders and to present the formed binders to therings in said holder at spaced inter- 'vals, and means for securing saidbinders around said superimposed rings.

6. A machine for forming a unit package of superimposed rings comprisinga. holder for said rings, a plurality of means intermittently operableeach to advance a strip of binding material, a plurality of means eachoperable to sever a predetermined length of binding material forming astrip, plurality of means each operable to form the severed binder stripinto a binder, means for causing the binder forming means to present theformed binders simultaneously to the superimposed rings in said holderat spaced intervals and means for simultaneously bending said bindersaround said rings.

7. In a machine for forming unit packages of superimposed articles, atravelling carrier having a plurality of holders for the superimposedarticles, means for moving said carrier intermittently and causing thesame to dwell intermediate of said movements, means automaticallyoperable to present a binder to said superimposed articles when theholder dwells at a predetermined station, and means operable when saidholder is caused to dwell at another station to bend said binder aroundsaid superimposed articles.

8. In a machine for forming unit packages of superimposed articles, atravelling carrier having a plurality of holders for the superimposedarticles, means for moving said carrier intermittently and causing thesame to dwell intermediate of said movements, means automaticallyoperable to present a binder to the superimposed articles in one of saidholders when said holder dwells at a predetermined station, means forbending said binder around said article when the holder is caused todwell at another predetermined station and means for pressing saidarticles together intermediate of said binderpresenting and binderbending stations.

9. In a machine for forming unit packages or" superimposed rings, aholder having a recess therein to permit a binder to be bent around saidrings and means for engaging and holding a binder adjacent said recessin position to be bent around said rings.

10. In a machine for forming unit parkages of superimposed rings, aholder comprising a base, a pair of substantially semicylindricalsections having conoidal domes rising from said base, and spaced apartto permit binders to be bent around the superimposed rings carried bysaid semi-cylindrical sections and co-operating clamping members carriedby said sections adapted to engage the edges of the binder strips toretain them in position to be bent around said superimposed rings.

11. In a machine for forming unit packs ages of superimposed rings, aholder having a recess therein to permit a binder to be bent around saidrings, adjustable means for engaging the edges of the binder adapted tohold said binder in position to be'bent around said rings.

12. In a machine for forming unit pack ages of superimposed ringscomprising an intermittently movable carriage having holders for aplurality of superimposed rings, co-operating binder forming dies, meansfor relatively moving said dies to form a binder therebetween and meansfor actuating one of said dies to cause the same to present the formedbinder to one of said holders for the superimposed rings when the latteris in a predetermined position.

13. A machine for forming unit parkages of superimposed rings,comprising an intermittently movable carrier having holders for aplurality of superimposed rings, co-operating upper and lower binderforming dies, means for actuating the upper forming die, and means formoving the lower forming die to cause the same to present the formedbinder to one of said holders for the superimposed rings when the latteris in a predetermined position.

14; A machine for forming unit packages of superimposed rings,comprising an intermittently movable carrier havingholders for aplurality of superimposed rings, co-operating upper and lower binderforming dies, means for actuating the upper forming die, means forshifting the lower forming die laterally subsequent to the cooperatingforming movement of said dies and means for pivotally moving said lowerdie when shifted to cause the same to prcsent the formed binder to oneof the holders for the superimposed rings when the latter 1s in apredetermined position.

15. A machine for forming unit packages of superimposed rings,comprising an intermittently movable carrier having holders for aplurality of superimposed rings, 00- operatmg upper and lower binderforming dies, means for actuating the upper forming die, means forshifting the lower forming die laterally subsequent to the cooperatingforming movement of said dies, means for pivotally moving said lower diewhen shifted to cause the same to present the formed binder to one ofthe holders for the superimposed rings when the latter is in apredetermined position, and means for detaching the binder from theforming die when presented to said holder.

16. A machine for forming unit packages of superimposed rings,comprising an intermittently movable carrier having a plurality ofholders for said superimposed rings. co-operating upper and lower binderform ing dies, a laterally movable die carrier for the lower formingdie, a die supporting arm pivotally mounted in said die carrier, meansfor actuating theupper die to form a binder, means for shifting the diecarrier ran om laterally to remove the lower die from be neath the upperdie, means for pivotally moving said die supporting arm to cause saidlower die to present the formed binder to a positioned holder for thesuperimposed rings and means operable to bend said binder around saidrings.

17. A machine for forming unit packages of superimposed rings,comprising an intermittently movable carrier having a plurality ofholders for said superimposed rings, co-operating upper and lower binderforming dies, a laterally movable die carrier for the lower forming die,a die supporting arm pivotally mounted in said die carrier, means foractuating the upper die to cause the some to cooperate with the lowerdie to form a binder, cam operated means for shifting said die carrierlaterally, means includin a rack and gear for pivotally moving said %iesupporting arm to cause said die to present the binder to a positionedholder for the superimposed rings and means for bending said binderaround said rings.

18. A machine for forming unit packages of superimposed rings,comprising an endless carrier having a series of links provided withholders for superimposed rings, means for imparting an intermittentmovement to said endless carrier, means automatically operable topresent a binder to the superimposed articles carried by said holderswhen the same are positioned at predetermined stations and means forsecuring the binder around said articles when the holders are at adifierent predetermined station.

19. A machine for forming unit packages material from said strip andmeans for bending the severed strip around the superimposed articles. I

20. A machine for forming unit packages of superimposed rings comprisinga holder for said superimposed rings, a plurality of meansintermittently operable each to advance a strip of binding material,means respectively operable to sever a predetermined length of saidbinding material from each strip and means operable to bend therespective severed strips around the superimposed rings at predeterminedspaced intervals.

21. A machine for forming unit packages of superimposed rings comprisingan endless carrier having a plurality of holders for the superimposedrings, means for moving said carrier intermittently and causing saidholders to dwell at a predetermined station, means for advancing a stripof binding material at said station, means for severing a predeterminedlength of said binding material from said strip and means for bendingthe severed strip around the superimposed rings.

22. A machine for forming unit packages of superimposed rings comprisingan endless carrier having a plurality of holders for the superimposedrings, means for moving said carrier intermittently and causing saidholders to dwell at a predetermined station, a plurality of meansintermittently operable each to advance a strip of binding material tosaid station, means for severing a predetermined length of bindingmaterial from each strip and means for bending the severed stripsrespectively around the superimposed rings at predetermined spacedintervals.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

FREDERlCK WILLIAM LAENCHER.

